Mary Slessor and Dr. Henry Farrar: Comparative Analysis of Their Missionary Contributions to the Abolition of Twin Killing Practices in Southern Nigeria

Mary Slessor and Dr. Henry Farrar: Comparative Analysis of Their Missionary Contributions to the Abolition of Twin Killing Practices in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

The practice of twin killing in Southern Nigeria, particularly among the Efik, Ibibio, Annang, and Ngwa peoples, was historically driven by deep-seated religious and cultural beliefs. This paper explores and compares the roles of two pivotal missionary figures—Mary Slessor of Scotland and Dr. Henry Farrar of the United States—in confronting and ultimately abolishing this practice. While Slessor is widely celebrated for her humanitarian efforts, this paper argues that Dr. Farrar addressed the root spiritual cause of the practice by confronting and destroying the Ikpaisong deity. His contribution, largely unrecognized in historical accounts, is vital to understanding the spiritual dimension of societal transformation in colonial and postcolonial Africa.

1. Introduction

The killing of twins in precolonial Southern Nigeria was a long-standing cultural and spiritual practice rooted in the belief that twins were a curse or omen of misfortune. Early European accounts and anthropological studies link this practice to the influence of indigenous deities, particularly Ikpaisong, revered and feared in Annang and Ibibio societies. While colonial intervention and Christian missionary activities played a significant role in discouraging and eventually abolishing this practice, a deeper evaluation reveals a two-pronged approach—humanitarian and spiritual—embodied in the missions of Mary Slessor and Dr. Henry Farrar.

2. Mary Slessor: Humanitarian Intervention without Spiritual Confrontation

Mary Slessor, a Scottish missionary nurse sent by the United Presbyterian Church, arrived in the Efik/Ibibio region in the late 19th century. Her work focused on:
- Rescuing twin babies and their mothers who were ostracized.
- Providing care and shelter to the victims of cultural superstitions.
- Promoting Christian teachings and education to gradually erode the belief in twin abomination.
Despite her dedication and compassion, Slessor’s work did not address the spiritual root of the practice—the Ikpaisong deity, which remained a dominant religious force in Annang and Ibibio communities. Consequently, while social reforms were initiated, the spiritual stronghold responsible for these practices remained intact.

3. Dr. Henry Farrar: Confronting the Spiritual Root of Twin Killing

Dr. Henry Farrar, an American medical missionary from Tennessee, came to Nigeria in the mid-20th century under the auspices of the Church of Christ. A trained physician and devout Christian, Farrar’s mission combined medical practice with evangelism. His most significant intervention occurred in 1964 when, during an evangelical outreach, he destroyed the shrine of Ikpaisong at Ikot Nsekong, Abiakpo Ikot Abasi Inyang, a powerful symbol and source of fear believed to be behind twin killings.
Witnesses describe the event as spiritually explosive, with the deity reportedly responding with a loud sound 'like a gunshot' before disappearing. Following this act:
- The fear of Ikpaisong diminished significantly.
- Cultural taboos surrounding twins and other practices began to collapse.
- Dr. Farrar was expelled from the area but later settled in Ngwa land—the refuge for rescued twins.
This marked the first known direct spiritual assault on the deity responsible for the twin-killing practice.

4. Comparative Impact and Recognition

Mary Slessor is globally recognized for her pioneering work; she was honored by the British Crown and is commemorated in historical and cultural narratives. Dr. Farrar, however, has received little or no recognition from either the United States, Nigerian states (Akwa Ibom and Abia), or international bodies such as the United Nations.
This disparity in recognition may stem from the nature of their approaches:
- Slessor’s work was humanitarian and visible.
- Farrar’s work was spiritual and confrontational, challenging entrenched religious beliefs.
Yet, as the evidence now shows, Farrar’s intervention dismantled the spiritual framework upholding the practice, leading to its systemic collapse.

5. Theological and Sociological Implications

The eradication of twin killing in Southern Nigeria cannot be fully understood without acknowledging the spiritual warfare dimension. Dr. Farrar’s action against Ikpaisong aligns with biblical narratives where prophetic figures confront spiritual powers (cf. Elijah vs. Baal prophets, 1 Kings 18). His work provides a paradigm for addressing cultural bondage through direct spiritual engagement rather than humanitarian effort alone.
This suggests that true societal transformation in deeply religious cultures often requires dealing not only with visible symptoms (social practices) but also with spiritual strongholds sustaining those practices.

6. Conclusion

The history of the abolition of twin killing in Southern Nigeria is incomplete without acknowledging the critical role of Dr. Henry Farrar, whose mission complemented and spiritually concluded what Mary Slessor began. While Slessor rescued lives, Farrar broke the curse. His legacy, especially through the establishment of the Nigerian Christian Hospital and the Church of Christ, deserves both national and global recognition.
This study calls for a historical reset that honors both missionaries but highlights Farrar’s unique contribution as a spiritual deliverer. As Africa stands at the center of a new wave of global Christian awakening—the third wave from the third world—the rediscovery of Dr. Farrar's work may serve as a divine blueprint for spiritual liberation across the nations.

7. References

Ayandele, E. A. (1966). *The Missionary Impact on Modern Nigeria 1842–1914*. Longmans.
Slessor, Mary. *Mary Slessor of Calabar: Pioneer Missionary*. Hodder & Stoughton.
Obot, I. (2003). Oral Interview on the Destruction of Ikpaisong Shrine, Ikot Nsekong.
Church of Christ Nigeria. (1965). *Missionary Journal Archives: The Work of Dr. Henry Farrar*.
Udo, E. (2022). *The Hidden Roots of Twin Killing and the Rise of Ngwa Refuge*. Local Histories Series.
Interview with Elder Sunday Jumbo Adiaudom, 2024. Testimony of Deliverance from Twin-Killing Beliefs.